All the articulated trucks that constitute nuisance on roads in the Onitsha Industrial Harbor are to be relocated to a major transport terminal in Onitsha within the next two weeks.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Road, Rail and Water Transportation, Mr Uchenna Okafor disclosed this when in the company of the Chairman of the State Physical Planning Board, Barr Chike Maduekwe, he visited the harbor to assess the situation on ground.

The new Anambra State Physical Planning Board which was inaugurated by Governor Willie Obiano was joined in the exercise because of the mandate handed the Board by the governor, to oversee urban renewal activities and proper planning of the physical space of cities across the state.

During the visit to the harbor, articulated trucks were seen parked in four lines along the roads in the layout, leaving a very narrow space for moving vehicles.

Also observed was a very dirty environment, with faeces and refuse littered all over the road.

Shanties were also seen springing up in very large number in the area, which residents allege were being used by criminals to perpetrate crimes such as robbery, rape and kidnap.

The Transport Commissioner, Mr Okafor who described the ugly incident as totally unacceptable, said the layout was well-planned with very wide and strongly-built roads to accommodate the anticipated heavy duty trucks that convey products and raw materials to and from the industries and not to serve as park.

He revealed that the visit was directed by Governor Willie Obiano because of the negative security reports coming as a result of the activities of the truck drivers, adding that government has made plans to relocate all the articulated trucks to the Onitsha Urban Transport Terminal located at Upper Iweka in two weeks time when the Terminal must have been completed.

The Chairman of the State Physical Planning Board, Bar Maduekwe said reorganizing the physical space of the State to reflect that of a well-planned state is a major charge on the Board by the governor and the incidents around the harbor if unchecked, have the capacity to undermine government's plans to build a secure and environmentally-sustainable state.

"Today in Anambra State, we have a government that is responsive and does not condone illegality of any kind. Its priority is the protection of lives and property and that is why he has given the marching order that these trucks be relocated. It is to the ultimate good of both the truck drivers, the operators of industries and residents of this harbor, that these trucks be moved to a more appropriate location," he noted.

Some residents and operators of industries in the harbor, Barr Okey Obikeze, Mr Oselloka Offor and Mr Ben Ohia who regretted that 80 percent of the trucks have no business with the industries in the harbour, said their presence have not only led to a spate in crime and criminality in the harbor but also have very negative health and environmental implications for the people.

They appealed to government to immediately come to their aid and relocate the trucks to once again guarantee them safety and access to their homes and industries, as the trucks most times, block the entrance to their buildings.

The Commissioner and the Physical Planning Board Chairman later proceeded to inspect work on the Onitsha-Enugu Urban Transport Terminal.

At the site, it was observed that the terminal is at about 75 percent completion stage, as the entire 200 by 180-meter land space has been fully paved with concrete and a major borehole completed with finishing touches being put on a modern toilet facility at the terminal.

The terminal which is the product of a Memorandum of Understanding between Anambra State Government, Detrazi Group and Urban Transport Terminal Limited signed last year, is expected to have sections for various types of vehicles and will also have a 72-room hotel for travellers.

With the floodlight also being installed, the Terminal is also designed to run 24 hours, according to the Terminal Manager, Sir Michael Ezeani.